Accused in slay of soldier wants plaint vs. him dropped

MURDER suspect Joshua Garciano yesterday asked the Office of the Talisay City Prosecutor to dismiss the complaint filed against him.

Assisted by his lawyer Rameses Victorius Villagonzalo, Garciano filed his judicial affidavit, where he denied any participation in the killing of Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Herbert Oberes last month.

“I am absolutely innocent of herein charge. I never knew or never participated in the planning to kill and the actual killing of Oberes,” read his affidavit.

Garciano, the driver of the victim’s vehicle, and his girlfriend, Resamie Cabañog were arrested and charged with murder before the prosecutor’s office.

Garciano drove Oberes’ vehicle to Valencia, Carcar City after the soldier was mauled and shot inside Corazon Village in Talisay City last Jan.31.

Still at large

Resamie’s mother Edna, the alleged mastermind, remains at large together with a certain Tomas Isugan and two other unidentified people. Isugan reportedly acted as Edna’s driver.

In his affidavit, Garciano said there is no evidence linking him to the crime.

“No eyewitness executed a sworn statement linking me to the conspiracy and actual killing and burning of the vehicle,” he said.

Garciano said the complaint will support his claim as no witness was presented to substantiate his involvement to the conspiracy and killing of the soldier.

He also said that his arrest was illegal since he was allegedly tricked by the police to issue an affidavit of confession.

“There should be no case filed against me. No credible evidence was presented linking me to the conspiracy, the killing and the burning. There is a total absence of probable cause against me,” he said.